Parliamentary Speeches

Mr. Speaker, I will be splitting my time with the member for Edmonton Gateway, a former wrestler whom I respect a lot. I rise today to speak in strong opposition to Bill C‑9, legislation that threatens some of the most fundamental freedoms protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms: freedom of religion and freedom of expression. Let me begin by stating something clearly. Conservatives condemn hatred, racism, religious unfairness and violence in all forms. Every Canadian, regardless of faith, ethnicity, background or identity, deserves to live safely, worship freely and participate fully in our society without fear. The question before us is not whether hate should be condemned but whether the government should weaken fundamental freedoms in the process. Unfortunately, that is exactly what Bill C‑9 would do. Under Canada's current hate speech laws, there is an important safeguard in the Criminal Code that provides a defence against prosecution for the promotion of hatred when a person expresses, in good faith, an argument or opinion on a religious subject or belief based on a religious text. Many Canadians may not realize that this defence is very limited. It does not apply to threats, advocacy of genocide or any criminal conduct under the Criminal Code. In other words, the current law already strikes a careful balance; Canadians remain free to discuss, teach and express their religious beliefs in good faith, while those who engage in genuine criminal behaviour remain subject to prosecution. The Supreme Court of Canada recognized the importance of this balance. The court understood that freedom of religion and freedom of expression are essential pillars of a free, democratic society. It recognized that without safeguards, hate speech laws could become vulnerable to constitutional challenge because they risk criminalizing legitimate religious expression. That is why the religious freedom defence exists. It was not by accident. It was included because lawmakers understood that protecting freedom of religion is just as important as fighting hate. Bill C‑9 seeks to remove this safeguard. Bill C‑9 proposes new offences related to the promotion of hatred and the public display of certain symbols. The meaning of a symbol can vary depending on the circumstance in which it is displayed. Schools, museums, historians, journalists, artists and researchers often study symbols in ways that are uncomfortable but very important. Canadians should never have to wonder whether legitimate expression could expose them to investigation, prosecution or legal uncertainty. One of the most troubling aspects of Bill C‑9 is its proposed expansion of Criminal Code provisions related to hate speech and hate propaganda. The government claims that the bill would target only extreme forms of hatred, yet history teaches us that when governments are given broader power to regulate speech, those powers rarely remain limited to the most obvious offenders. Freedom of expression is not a privilege granted by the government but a fundamental freedom protected by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The result of the bill would be that people of faith could face criminal prosecutions for the simple act of quoting, discussing or teaching from their own sacred texts. Canadians should be concerned by this possibility. Whether someone is quoting from the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the Bible, the Torah, the Quran, the Bhagavad‑Gita or another holy text, they should not have to fear that expressing their religious belief could expose them to criminal liability. As a Sikh, I find this issue especially troubling. Sikhs came here seeking opportunity, freedom and the ability to practise their faith openly. Like many faith communities, we rely on our holy teachings as a guide for moral and spiritual life. The Sri Guru Granth Sahib is central to Sikh faith and identity. The freedom to discuss its teachings is fundamental. The same is true for Christians and the Bible, Hindus and the Bhagavad-Gita, Muslims and the Quran, and members of many other faith communities. This issue is not about one religion. It is about protecting the rights of all religions. Once government begins restricting religious expression, every faith community has reason to be concerned. What makes this legislation even more troubling is the attitude some Liberals have shown toward religious texts. Canadians have every right to ask what happens when legal protections for religious expression are removed while Liberal voices describe portions of sacred texts as hateful. The government argues that this legislation is necessary to address hate. However, removing the safeguard would not make Canadians safer. It would not stop violent criminals or prevent acts of hatred. It would not protect vulnerable communities from genuine threats. Those who advocate violence are already subject to criminal penalties. Nothing in the current law prevents authorities from prosecuting individuals who engage in criminal conduct. Instead, Bill C‑9 would risk threatening lawful expression rather than unlawful actions. That is a dangerous path for any democracy. Freedom of expression is not meant to protect only popular opinions. It is not meant to protect only views that government approves of. It exists to protect the ability of Canadians to express opinions, beliefs and convictions without fear of state punishment. The same principle applies to freedom of religion. Canadians should be free to worship according to their beliefs. They should be free to teach their faith, discuss their beliefs and quote their sacred texts without wondering whether it could result in criminal investigation. These rights belong to all Canadians, regardless of political affiliation or religious background. Conservatives believe that Canada can fight hate while still protecting fundamental freedoms. These goals are not mutually exclusive. In fact, our legal system has long recognized the importance of balancing both. Bill C‑9 abandons that balance. It would remove a safeguard that the Supreme Court recognized as important. It would create uncertainty for faith communities across the country, and it would risk people's religious expression without providing any meaningful improvement to public safety. That is why Conservatives will stand up for people of faith, for freedom of expression, for freedom of religion and for the Charter of Rights that Canadians cherish. Conservatives will fight against this attack on our freedoms. We will defend the constitutional right that the government is attempting to take away. We will continue to stand with Canadians who believe that faith, freedom and democracy must always be protected.

Mr. Speaker, the member's accusations of misinformation are disappointing and do little to address any concerns being raised by Canadians. In the past decade of Liberal rule, the country has only become more divided. Ethnic violence between immigrants and the division we have seen in Alberta, the division we have seen between new Canadians, are just because of the Liberals' policies. Even Bill C-9 would create more division than it would bring Canadians together.

Mr. Speaker, under the Liberal Prime Minister, Canada has become the only country in the G20 in a recession. Businesses are no longer investing in Canada. Even the banks have lost faith. Scotiabank and BMO are projecting growth at less than half of that of the United States. The first step to fixing any problem is admitting that there is one. Will the Liberal Prime Minister admit to Canadians that we are in a recession, or will he continue to tell them they are only technically suffering after a decade of Liberal rule?

Mr. Speaker, with over 100,000 people expected to gather in Calgary this week, the Nagar Kirtan, organized by the Dashmesh Culture Centre gurdwara, stands as one of the most anticipated Sikh celebrations in our country. It is a powerful public expression of faith, humility and the principle of seva, which is selfless service to all of humanity. Led by President Harpal Singh Grewal, the DCC has built a legacy of service that extends far beyond celebration. Through their no hungry tummy initiative and food bank operations, they feed thousands of Calgarians facing food insecurity, regardless of background, belief or faith. The DCC reminds us that true faith is expressed not only in prayers, but in action by showing up for neighbours in need. I invite all members to join me in congratulating the director of operations Raj Sidhu, the entire DCC committee, all volunteers and the Sikh community of Calgary on this joyous occasion. Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister claims affordability has never been better, but Canadians know the truth: Food bank use has skyrocketed, rent has nearly doubled, and families are paying more for groceries, gas and housing. After 10 years of Liberal inflation, everything costs us more, yet the Prime Minister is adding billions of dollars in reckless spending, driving up debt and the cost of living. Canadians are paying $3,000 each year just to cover that debt. When will the Liberals get spending under control so Canadians can afford to live again?

Mr. Speaker, Canadians are concerned. The Liberals' uncontrolled immigration policies have divided our communities and led to an increase in discrimination. We are seeing the consequences in real time: housing shortages, strained health care and rising costs for everyday Canadians. The Liberals created this, and Canadians are paying for it. The Canadian dream that I and so many others came here chasing, the promise of opportunity, belonging and a better life, is no longer being fulfilled. The Liberals' reckless mismanagement has not just failed to plan; it has also given hate a place to grow. That is the Liberals' legacy: a country more divided than a decade ago. Canadians and newcomers deserve better, and the Liberal government must be held accountable for the division and the broken promises, and for the damage it has done to this country's social fabric.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak about a very serious issue that is spreading fear in our communities and that the government has failed to stop. That issue is extortion. For 10 years now under the Liberal government, crime has gone up. Violent crime is up. Gun crimes are up. Extortion has exploded across Canada. Since the Liberals took power, extortion is up 330% nationwide. In British Columbia, it is up over 480%. In Vancouver alone, extortion cases have risen by more than 330%. These are not just numbers; they are real people, families and small business owners who live in fear every single day. Extortion is not a victimless crime. It is not just a phone call or a threat. It is a crime that terrorizes families, shatters lives and forces people to choose between their safety and their savings. Across Canada, small businesses owners are getting threats. They are told to pay money or face violence. They are told their stores will be burned. They are told their homes will be shot at. They are told their children will be harmed. This is happening in Brampton, Surrey, Vancouver, Calgary and Winnipeg. It is happening throughout Canada. In Surrey alone, there have already been over 100 reported cases this year, and police tell us that many more go unreported. People are too scared to come forward. When people are afraid to call the police, when families are afraid to open their doors and when business owners are afraid to go to work, it is a crisis, yet the government continues to do nothing. Instead of taking action, the Liberals have chosen a soft-on-crime approach and catch-and-release laws. They have chosen to side with criminals over communities. Their bills, including Bill C-5 and Bill C-75, weakened the justice system. They removed mandatory jail time for serious crimes, made it easier for violent offenders to get bail and forced judges to release repeat offenders back onto our streets. The result was more crime, more violence and more fear. Extortionists know that the system is weak, risk is low and punishment is light, so they keep offending again and again. The government talks a lot about being tough, but talk does not stop extortion. Action does. Conservatives have brought forward real solutions, clear common-sense solutions. We have proposed restoring mandatory jail time for extortion to three years for a conviction, four years if a gun is involved and five years if it is linked with organized crime. We believe arson should count as an aggravating factor. Burning down a business is not a small crime; it is an act of terror. These measures send a simple message that if someone extorts Canadians, they will go to jail for a long time. Instead, Liberal policies allowed for a recent sentencing decision that undermined public confidence in the justice system. In a troubling case of extortion in Calgary, the offenders received an 18-month conditional sentence of which six months was to be served under house arrest. It was a very light outcome, given the gravity of the crime. The Canadian victim was pressured to repay more than $200,000 tied to third party illegal gambling and was shown images of chopped-up body parts in an attempt to intimidate them. This is what the Liberals' soft-on-crime policies allow. The Liberals had a chance to protect Canadians, but what did they do? They went against us again and again. They killed Conservative bill after Conservative bill. They blocked the protection against extortion act. They made excuses, delayed and did nothing. They even opposed stronger self-defence laws, like the “castle law”, as our leader mentioned weeks ago. They opposed fixing bail. Last week the Liberals opposed deporting non-citizens convicted of serious crimes like extortion. At every step, they have chosen criminals over communities. The Liberals say they support police, but the facts are the other way around. The Minister of Public Safety has not hired a single new RCMP officer. He even said it is not his job. Police forces across the country are stretched thin. They are overworked, they are under-resourced and the government has left them to deal with a crime wave of its own making. The government has also failed at the borders. Under Liberal policies, 18,000 known criminals were allowed into Canada with no proper background checks and no serious screenings, reckless decisions that put Canadians at risk. Now we see the results: organized crime networks growing stronger, extortion rings spreading fear, and gangs operating with confidence. After building pressure from the Conservatives, the government recently labelled the Bishnoi gang as a terrorist entity. That was the right step, but it is only one step. We have to see what is behind it. Our own agencies, like CSIS and the RCMP, are saying that it is foreign interference. Why are the Liberals ignoring this? Labelling a gang means nothing if criminals are still being released on bail. It means nothing if sentences are weak. It means nothing if police lack resources. Canadians do not want words; they want safety, and they want action. When the Prime Minister visited the Lower Mainland, he had a chance to listen, a chance to meet victims, a chance to meet business owners and a chance to meet police officers. Instead he took a walk on a pier. He did not show up. He did not listen. He did not lead. That is not leadership; that is abandonment. Communities are crying for help. Parents are worried about their children. Families are scared to speak up. Business owners are wondering if tomorrow will be the day their store is attacked. This is not the Canada we know. This is not the Canada we want. Conservatives believe in safe streets. We believe in strong laws. We believe in real consequences for serious crimes. Our plan is clear: Stop extortion with real jail time, end catch-and-release bail, keep violent offenders behind bars, support police with real resources, and protect families, workers and small business owners. We are ready to work with anyone who wants to fix this crisis. We will not stay silent while Canadians live in fear. After 10 years of failures, Canadians have had enough: enough excuses, enough delays and enough crime. It is time to stop the extortion crisis. It is time to change the law. It is time to put communities first.

Mr. Speaker, Conservatives are not blocking the asylum system; we are just saying that we have to keep the criminals away. In the extortions in B.C., all the criminals who were caught by police claimed asylum, and that is what we have to change. We know that once criminals apply for asylum, they will have a few years and will keep doing crimes, making our streets unsafe. We want safe streets for Canadians, and that is what our approach is.

Mr. Speaker, I have come across so many police officers. They are doing their job, but in this judicial system, while the police are still filing their complaints, the criminals are getting out on bail. This is where we have to work to change the laws. The member for Oxford brought forward Bill C-242 on jail not bail for criminals, and that is where we have to work together to tackle these criminals.

Mr. Speaker, extortion is up 330% since the Liberals took office. Small business owners in places like Brampton, Surrey, Vancouver and my home of Calgary are being threatened. Families are being shot at and firebombed, and the Liberals have done nothing. Even the Premier of B.C. has said that the Liberals must stop criminals from gaining refugee status. Will the Liberals support our motion to protect communities by ensuring that convicted criminals cannot use refugee status to stay in Canada, yes or no?

Mr. Speaker, three years ago the finance minister promised to stabilize food prices. He failed. Since then, the cost of lettuce is up 40%. Beef is up 27%. Baby formula is up 14%. Canada has the highest food inflation in the G7. Every month, 2.2 million Canadians are visiting food banks. Canadians are struggling. We want results. Will the Liberals support our motion for a food affordability plan that removes the industrial carbon tax and the fuel standard tax, and increases competition in grocery stores, yes or no?

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister admits that the vast majority of illegal firearms used in crime come from across our border, yet instead of stopping those guns, the Liberals are pushing a billion-dollar gun grab scheme that targets the wrong people. In Calgary, hunters, ranchers and sport shooters who follow the law are being punished, while violent criminals walk free. Law-abiding Canadians are not the threat; the criminals are. While our city faces rising gun violence, the Liberals refuse to fix the border disorder that lets in nearly all illegal guns. Gun crime is up 130% because of their catch-and-release bail system in Bill C-75 and reduced penalties for gun offences in Bill C-5. The buyback will not stop criminals or smuggling; it only targets responsible citizens. Conservatives will protect lawful gun owners, crack down on violent offenders and keep Calgary families safe.

Mr. Speaker, after 10 years of the Liberals, life in our country has become too hard. People tell me every day that the cost of food is hurting them the most. Moms and dads are cutting back. Seniors are skipping meals. Young people say they cannot get ahead, no matter how hard they work. The Prime Minister once said that people should judge him by the cost at the grocery store. Let us do that today. A new food price report from Dalhousie University shows just how bad things are. It says that food prices will rise 4% to 6% next year, which is even worse than this year. A family of four will spend almost $18,000 on food in 2026, which is almost $1,000 more than this year. I will repeat that it will be $1,000 more just to feed a family. Food prices have gone up 112% since 2015. In 2015, a family spent about $159 a week on food; now it is $338 a week. Families are paying more than double. It is because of these high prices that many Canadians cannot buy healthy food. They are forced to pick cheap food that fills the stomach but is not good for long-term health. This year, more than 2.2 million people went to food banks each month. These are numbers we have never seen before. Nearly 85% of Canadians say their food bills went up again in the past year. Everyone feels it; it does not matter where they live. I want to share what I hear from people in my riding and across our province of Alberta. Every week, families tell me that they now shop in two or three different stores just to find the lowest price. Some parents say they no longer buy fresh fruits, because it has become too expensive. Others say they now buy less meat and try to stretch a meal as far as they can. These are honest, hard-working people. They are not looking for special treatment. They are simply looking for a fair chance to feed their families without going broke. Small shops and local stores in Alberta are also struggling. They pay more for rent, fuel, power, deliveries and packaging. When they try to keep prices low, they lose money. When they raise prices, families blame them. These small shops are part of our community. They want to serve people, but this government makes it harder for them to survive. We also hear from truck drivers who move food across western Canada. They say the rising fuel taxes make their work more expensive every month. When the cost of moving food goes up, the price at the store goes up; it is simple. However, instead of making life easier, the government turns around and adds even more taxes. This does not help farmers, this does not help truckers and it does not help families who are already stretched thin. Canada should not be a place where people fear the grocery bill. We have the land, the farms, the workers and the resources to feed our whole country, yet families are paying more for food than ever before. This government has lost control of spending, lost control of taxes and lost control of the cost of living. Canadians deserve better. In Calgary, food banks are seeing more people than ever before. Staff and volunteers tell me that many of the people coming in have jobs but still cannot afford food, because prices are so high. Seniors come in because their pensions no longer cover both food and rent. This is not a normal Calgary. Calgary is a strong, hard-working city, but the cost of living has pushed many families to the edge. When food banks are stretched this thin, it shows that government policies are not working. We need to bring food prices down so families can depend on stores, not on food banks. Why is this happening? It is happening because the Prime Minister keeps spending more money than the country has. His $80-billion deficit pours fuel on the fire of inflation. Every dollar the government spends has to come from someone, and that someone is the Canadian people. People pay through higher prices on food, fuel and home heating. The Prime Minister also keeps putting taxes on the things that make food. There are taxes on the farms, taxes on the trucks that bring food to the stores, taxes on the packaging, and taxes on the fuel that cooks, moves and stores food. When we tax the farmers, when we tax the truckers and when we tax the stores, who pays? The families standing at the checkouts pay. Across Alberta, farmers tell me the same story. They work long days growing the food we all depend on, but rising costs are making their jobs harder every year. The taxes on fuel, taxes on barns and taxes on the tools they use all add up. When the cost for Alberta farmers goes up, the cost of food for every family in our province goes up too. Alberta families are feeling the pressure as well. A simple trip to the store now costs far more than it did just a year ago. From meat to milk, bread and other fresh food, everything is higher. Some stores in our province have prices so steep that families leave with only half of what they planned to buy. When food prices rise this fast, people cut back on meals, skip healthy food or turn to food banks. This should not be happening in a province as strong and as resource-rich as Alberta. We need a government that brings down food costs, supports our farmers and makes life affordable again. That is why Conservatives put forward a motion to cut the cost of food. We asked the House to scrap the Liberal carbon tax on farmers and on food, scrap the new food packaging tax, scrap the fuel standard that adds 17¢ a litre on gas, and stop the inflation that comes from massive deficits. This was a real plan to give people relief, but the Liberals voted against it. They voted against lower food prices. They voted against common sense. Food is not a luxury. It is not a special good for the rich. It is the most basic thing a family needs, yet the government hikes taxes in the food supply chain, pushes up the cost of living, and then asks Canadians to be grateful for the small rebates that do not even cover a week of groceries. People do not want handouts. They want life to be affordable again. Conservatives have a simple plan: scrap the hidden taxes on food and bring down prices for everyone. We will bring back common sense. We will bring back a balanced budget so inflation comes down. We will let farmers farm without punishing taxes. We will let truckers move food without extra costs. We will let farmers keep more of their own money. When a country as rich as ours has millions of people using food banks, something is deeply wrong. When parents skip meals so their kids can eat, something is deeply wrong. When seniors cannot buy fresh food after a lifetime of work, something is deeply wrong. The Prime Minister said people should judge him by the prices at the grocery store. Canadians are doing that now, and they are—

Mr. Speaker, the member opposite said that investment is coming here. When we have taxes so high, as we have seen for the last decade, who would come here? We have seen half a trillion dollars going out of Canada to other places to invest. We can see the prices. Because of those taxes, affordability is an issue. It was not an issue in 2015. I would like to request that the member opposite tell the Prime Minister to cut down all the taxes so people can afford this country and they can afford groceries.

Mr. Speaker, it is very concerning. I have been talking to the farmers and the truckers and they are all feeling the same pain. The tax on the fuel raises up the costs. It is not just on the fuel they use for delivery. It is on all the parts, the trucks themselves and where they manufacture them. This impacts everything. The tax is the main factor even for the stuff they need for farming, for the fertilizers. Everything hurts, and that is what is bringing costs up. Conservatives have a plan to cut all the taxes and to make food affordable again.

Mr. Speaker, extortion is Canada has exploded by 330% since 2015. Canadians are being terrorized. People are dying. Homes are being sprayed with bullets. What do the Liberals do? Nothing. In Calgary, a woman who was convicted of helping with extortion walked away with just six months of house arrest, all because of Liberal soft-on-crime policies. We presented our Conservative plan a year ago, and Liberals voted it down. What does the minister have to say to the victims about his inaction?

Mr. Speaker, after this last Liberal decade, Canadians across the country are living with a level of fear and disorder that none of us should ever accept as normal. Every single day, families wake up to a new story of violence, and repeat offenders are being released on bail only to reoffend, sometimes within hours. Every day, Canadians watch the consequences of a justice system warped by the Prime Minister's reckless catch-and-release ideology, and every day, the government insists that everything is fine, but everything is not fine. In my province of Alberta, in the city of Calgary, I have seen first-hand the devastation that Liberal soft-on-crime bail laws have caused, and it is the people in these neighbourhoods who have to actually deal with the crimes of repeat violent offenders. It is the families in these communities who bear the burden when repeat sex offenders breach their conditions and nothing changes. It is everyday Canadians who now, unfortunately, think twice before going out to the park, walking to the grocery store or just stepping outside after dark. This is not a failure of circumstances. It is a direct consequence of the choices made by the Liberal government. The devastation is clear. Since 2015, violent crime has gone up 55%, firearm offences are up 130%, extortion has shot up an insane 330%, sexual assaults have gone up 76% and homicides across the nation have risen nearly 30%. These are not just numbers. Each data point represents a Canadian who might not come home again, families that will never be whole again and communities that will never be the same. We are also seeing a worrying rise in extortion across the country. Calgary and Surrey have become the clearest examples. Police have launched dozens of new investigations in just the last few months. Business owners are being threatened, intimidated, and in some cases, even shot at. This situation has become so serious that Surrey has created a special police team and has set up a $250,000 reward fund just to help stop the growing crime wave. This rise in extortion shows exactly what happens when repeat offenders know they can go through the revolving door of bail to return to threaten the people in their communities. In Calgary and Surrey, Canadians should not be living in fear of criminals demanding money or threatening their families, yet this is becoming more common under a Liberal failed system. Despite all of this, the Liberals continue to defend laws that contribute to this crisis, such as Bill C-75, which is a bill that prioritizes the release of criminals rather than protecting communities, and Bill C-5, which replaced mandatory minimum sentences for violent firearm crimes and other serious offences. These actions have led to the government treating violent criminals as victims and law-abiding Canadians as an afterthought. For years, Conservatives have warned the government that its approach to bail and sentencing was unleashing chaos. For years, Liberals have denied, deflected and dismissed, and for years, Canadians have been paying the price. Now, after nearly a decade of failure, the Liberals suddenly claim that they want to fix the bail system, but what they have tabled is too little too late and nowhere near enough. Bill C-14 is the latest example of the government scrambling to copy Conservative ideas after spending years blocking them. In fact, the Carney Liberals have been copying Conservative proposals—

Mr. Speaker, the member for Oxford introduced the jail not bail act, which recognizes attacks on first responders as a major offence. The Liberals opposed it then recycled the idea. While the Liberals would have Canadians believe this bill fixes the bail crisis, it does not. The person who commits a violent crime should not be sitting at home watching Netflix. They should be off of the streets. This is not a plan to protect Canadians; it is a press release pretending to be a bill. That is why Conservatives will work tirelessly to ensure that Bill C-14 scraps Liberal bail. Thankfully, we have already put forward the real solution, Bill C-242, the Conservative jail not bail act, which was introduced by the member for Oxford. Unlike Bill C-14, which tinkers at the margins, Bill C-242 would reshape the system to protect the public. It would repeal the Liberal principle of restraint and replace it with the public safety primacy clause, thereby ending the culture of automatic release. The bill would create a major offence category that would trigger a true presumption of detention, not just a burden shift for offences such as firearm crimes, sexual offences, kidnapping, human trafficking, home invasions, robbery, extortion, arson and violent assault. The bill would tighten the risk standard and would require judges to consider the full criminal history of an accused person. Bill C-242 also includes a 10-year look-back provision, so if someone convicted of a major violent offence were to commit another major violent offence while already on bail, they would face, with near certainty, a presumption of detention. It would strengthen surety rules by banning individuals with indictable convictions from acting as a guarantor and would require a passport surrender for non-residents where required. That is what a real plan to protect Canadians looks like, and it is what Conservatives are offering. The need for this reform is urgent. A recent National Post poll found that more than half of Canadians no longer feel safe in their own neighbourhoods. In a country like ours, which is thriving, peaceful and proud, that should shock every member of the House. Tragically, that fear is entirely rational. People see what is happening around them. They see the revolving-door justice system, police arresting the same offenders repeatedly, crime scenes where their children play and a government that refuses to take responsibility. We have a Minister of Public Safety who says, without embarrassment, “I'm not responsible for hiring of the [RCMP or CBA] officers”. If the minister responsible for public safety is not responsible for ensuring we have enough frontline officers, who is? This is the level of accountability Canadians are being offered. In Calgary, especially in the downtown area, but throughout the entire city, residents have witnessed some of the worst increases in violent crime since the Liberal government took office. Transit stations have become unsafe. Small business owners are robbed repeatedly. Families are living in fear of being caught in gang-related shootings, and seniors feel trapped in their own homes. These are serious concerns from real people, and they deserve more than symbolic legislation. Conservatives will not stop until we scrap Liberal catch-and-release laws. We will not stop until violent offenders face serious consequences and safe streets are the norm in Canada, not an exception. The government has a choice. It can adopt a fully Conservative plan, stop the revolving-door bail system and protect Canadians, or it continue down this reckless path it embarked on a decade ago. Canadians already know which side Conservatives are on. We are on the side of victims, of families and of safe and strong communities. We are on the side of common sense. It is time to scrap Liberal bail and restore public safety in this country. Conservatives and Canadians are ready. The only question that remains is whether the Liberals are ready.

Mr. Speaker, yes, it is very serious. We introduced our bill, Bill C-242, from our member for Oxford. That is what we need to act on. We cannot release offenders back onto the streets. We have to be serious with respect to them. We have seen what we have gone through in the last failed Liberal decade. The crime rate is skyrocketing. Just in Surrey alone, the extortion cases are up almost 550%. That is a very high number. We cannot have this in Canada.

Mr. Speaker, it is a shameful that a member from across the aisle was involved in a rally to defund our police. On the one hand, I spoke with police officers last week. They are looking to us. They are looking to the Government of Canada to provide them more tools. They need more men. A while ago there was an announcement that 1,000 new police officers would be hired, and none have been hired. On the other hand, the Liberals are announcing that they are going to those rallies because they want to defund the RCMP. That is not right.

Mr. Speaker, that is a question he should be asking his own caucus member, who joined that rally. He should not be asking us. It is now up to the Prime Minister. Is he going to fire the member of Parliament sitting right in that aisle, or is he going to keep him? When it comes to Bill C-14, the Conservatives will support any bill designed to increase safety for Canadians, but we believe this bill is weak. It is better if—

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the people of Calgary to express concern over the recent sentencing decision that chips away at the public confidence in the justice system. In a case of extortion in our city, the offender received an 18-month sentence, with six months to be served under house arrest. That is an extremely light outcome given the seriousness of the crime. This was not a minor offence. The victim was targeted in Calgary and pressured to repay more than $200,000 tied to third party illegal gambling. He was shown images of cut-up body parts in an attempt to scare him. The threat cannot be dismissed as any less than extremely serious. This case makes one thing clear: Our laws do not reflect the seriousness of extortion and organized crime. It is time to strengthen the law so that criminals face real consequences and Calgarians receive the protection they deserve.

Mr. Speaker, after 10 years, Liberal insiders have never had it so good. Canadians line up at food banks while the government let a $50-million IBM contract at the CRA blow past $190 million, and it is on track for $214 million. Young Canadians are told to sacrifice so that Liberal-linked consultants can get rich. Canadians are stuck paying the bill. Instead of a costly election on a costly budget, why not an affordable budget for an affordable life by cancelling those consultants?

Mr. Speaker, extortion cases have skyrocketed by 330%. This past Saturday night, my community was targeted by Bishnoi terrorists who carried out a shooting followed by an attempt to extort the victim. This gang is actively threatening innocent Canadians, causing fear in neighbourhoods like mine, yet the minister has failed to label it as a terrorist organization. My question to the Minister of Public Safety is simple. Will the minister resign or will the Prime Minister fire him today?

Mr. Speaker, Canada's crime rate is up. Homicide is up 28%, violent crime is up 50% and extortion is up 357%. This week, CSIS reported foreign governments are using organized criminal networks to target Canadians. Our own intelligence agency is sounding the alarm, but the Liberals are ignoring it. They voted against Conservative Bill C-381, which was for jail, not bail, for repeat offenders. Will the Prime Minister finally take public safety seriously by adopting our Conservative plan to lock up these violent criminals?

Mr. Speaker, after 10 years of the Liberal government, extortion has risen by 357% and Canadians are living in genuine fear for their lives. One of my constituents recently received a video from a perpetrator threatening to murder their children. People's lives are at stake, and this cannot go on any longer. We need to restore mandatory minimum penalties on extortion. Will the Liberal Prime Minister adopt Bill C-381 to crack down on violent extortion and lock up the criminals?

Madam Speaker, it is with deep humility and great honour that I rise in the chamber today to deliver my first speech as the member of Parliament for Calgary Skyview. First and foremost, I would like to thank my wonderful wife Jaspreet Kaur Gill, my son Daya Singh Gill, and lovely daughter Ekam Kaur Gill for their unwavering love and support. It is their strength that carries me through every challenge. I also want to express my deepest gratitude to the voters and supporters who placed their trust in me. I promise I will not let them down. I would especially like to remember my late father Sadar Amritpal Singh Gill, whose memories continue to inspire me each and every day. I also thank my mother Gurcharan Kaur Gill for her endless love and encouragement. I thank the tireless volunteers who knocked on doors in rain and shine, the dedicated sign team who made sure our message was seen across the riding, and the community leaders who guided and inspired us every step of the way. Their hard work, passion and belief in our vision made this victory possible. Together, we will work to build a strong and fair community where everyone has a chance to succeed. I came to Canada as a teenager, with my family, carrying a dream, like many newcomers who still arrive in this country today. I worked nights, went to school during the day, and through hard work and sacrifice, I achieved my goals. I punched above my weight class every step of the way, becoming a small business owner, raising my children on safe streets and teaching them the values of discipline, responsibility and respect. However, today, I stand here deeply concerned that the Canada that once gave immigrants like me a fair shot at success now feels out of reach, even for those born and raised here. Young Canadians cannot afford to buy homes. Wages are not keeping up with inflation, and good-paying jobs are harder to come by. The Liberal government increased the immigration level with no plan on housing or infrastructure, and no job strategy. This is not just an immigration issue. It is a national failure of leadership. It is unfair to Canadians who are watching their dreams pushed further out of reach in their own country. It is unfair to newcomers who arrived with hope, but find only struggles. We need a responsible, balanced approach to immigration, one that puts jobs, housing and economic security first. There were 1.6 million unemployed Canadians in May, which is an increase of 13.8% from this time last year. Things are projected to get even worse. TD forecasts that there will be 100,000 job losses by the third quarter of this year. It is clear that the same Liberal ministers, with the same Liberal policies, are delivering even worse results. Canadians need a real plan to unleash Canada's economic potential and deliver powerful paycheques for our people. I come from Alberta, a province built on grit, resilience and determination. For over a decade, Albertans have been overlooked by Liberal governments that have failed to understand who we are, what we contribute and what we stand for. They attacked our energy sector with Bill C-48, blocked our pipelines with Bill C-69 and cost our working families their livelihood. Let me be clear, we do not back down. We roll up our sleeves, and we get the job done no matter the odds. In Calgary Skyview, we may have dirty hands, but our money is clean. It is earned through early mornings, long days and honest sweat. We believe in hard work, not handouts. We believe that the people who built, drive and power this country deserve respect, not red tape. I also stand here with deep pride in my Punjabi Sikh heritage and in the sacrifices of those who came before me. My grandfather and my wife's great-grandfather both fought bravely alongside the allied forces in World War I and World War II, wearing their dastar with honour and serving with courage, loyalty and unwavering commitment. They stood for freedom, justice and the values we hold dear as Canadians. Their legacy lives on in me. Just as they wore their dastars with pride and fought with honour on the battlefield, I will wear mine in the House of Commons and fight with the same spirit for Canadians and for the principles of my Sikh faith: equality, courage, justice and service. I carry their strength with me every day as I rise to represent Calgary Skyview. I will never forget who I am or where I come from. I would also like to take a moment to remember the horrific first week of June 1984, when the Indian army attacked Darbar Sahib, the Golden Temple complex, which is the holiest shrine of the Sikh faith. Thousands of innocent Sikhs were murdered in those days. I was seven years old at the time, and it affected me deeply. Even today, the scars of that assault remain deeply engraved in the hearts of Sikhs around the world, reminding us of the importance of religious freedom and protecting human rights. Albertans and all Canadians deserve better. They deserve a government that emphasizes their hard-earned dollars, the dignity of hard work and the importance of safe streets, a government that supports energy workers, builds pipelines and strengthens our economy, instead of tearing it down. That is why I stand here today as a proud member of the Conservative Party, committed to jail, not bail, for repeat offenders. This means holding criminals accountable and ensuring that justice is served swiftly and fairly. It means investing in communities, supporting law enforcement and making our streets safer for all Canadians. It is clear that the Liberals are out of touch with the needs of Canadians. We need a government that focuses on job creation, economic growth and fiscal responsibility. It is time for a government that puts our economy back on track and secures a brighter future for all Canadians. It is time for action. It is time for the Liberals to put Canada first and introduce a budget that supports Canadians now. Our vision is clear: a Canada where the economy is strong, families are supported and communities thrive, a Canada where government spending is accountable, taxes are fair and opportunities are abundant for all. I came to this House to work. I came with a clear mandate backed by my commitment to serve, to lead and to deliver real results. I came here to stand up for the hard-working people of Calgary Skyview and for every Canadian who feels left behind by Liberals who have failed to deliver on their promises. I will fight every day to ensure that others get a chance to live in safe communities, to build better lives and to raise families with dignity and pride. I will bring the voices of my riding into every debate and every decision, grounded in values of service, fairness and accountability. I am here because I believe in a Canada that is full of potential and opportunities, not one held back by broken promises and a lack of actions. Let us rise to the moment, work together and build the strong, united and free Canada that we all deserve.

Mr. Speaker, the very first call I received from a Calgarian was from a small business owner being extorted by criminals for $300,000. Extortions in Calgary, Brampton and Edmonton are on the rise and only getting worse. Under the Liberals, extortion cases are up 357%. The Liberals voted down Conservative Bill C-381 to tackle extortion. The bill set mandatory minimum penalties for extortion after the Liberals took away penalties in their soft-on-crime bill, Bill C-5. Will the Prime Minister work with Conservatives to adopt Bill C-381 to crack down on violent extortions?